Name of Nation:
The Yuukoman Principality
Territorial Claims:
Yuukoma is primarily located in Southwest Yarhezev in a land known as Lodis. They historically had a larger Empire, encompassing much of modern day Tanwir and Chev, along with the northwest coast by the desert. Following the Great Yuukoman War, Yuukoma lost these territories and was forced to renounce their claims.
Species:
Yuukoma’s largest demographic are the Yuukomite wolves, constituting 50% of the population. 30% of the population are Lodis Demons. 10% are humans. The remaining 10% are others.
Population (total and by species):
30 Million Total
15,000,000 Wolf Folk
900,000 Lods Demons
3,000,000 Humans
3,000,000 Others
Government:
Yuukoma is an absolute monarchy. There are two main administrations: the Military administration and the Civil administration. In both cases, the Exalted Prince is the highest authority. The civil administration is based on the rule of the local provinces and their individual characteristics. The military administration is concerned largely with the core territories of Yuukoma.
As a governing body, the House of Yuukoma holds absolute authority, and the members of the dynasty are considered the most important people in all of the Empire. They are thought of as divine, and this is written in Yuukoman laws. The Imperial Harem is the secluded residence of the Exalted Prince’s concubines and their servants. It is a symbol of the Exalted Prince’s power, wealth and sexual prowess. It also served as a school to educate its members into various roles needed by the State, and serve as the counterpart to the Collected. The Collected refers to the various members of the State which have been part of the Collection program: the annual conscription of youths. The promising members are inducted into the State itself and educated similarly to the harem.
Though the Exalted Prince is absolute, duties are delegated to members of the State. The second highest authority in the Empire is the Grand Vizier, followed by the Mother of the Harem. The various ministers and advisors gather in the Divan where they discuss matters of State. There are two divans: The Small Divan and the Large Divan. The small divan is the one that regularly meets almost everyday, composed of only the chief members. This included the Grand Vizier, the Harem Mother, the various Ministers of the State and other personally selected members. They discuss the day-to-day function of the Empire. The large divan is composed of the major figures all across the Empire. Aside from the members of the State, provincial governors, vassal lords, guildmasters, frontier generals, and leaders of the clergy are called upon. The large divan is called only when matters of great significance are put into question. The most notable was Maka’s Large Divan upon his establishment of the Empire.
Culture and Society:
Yuukoman Society is a meritocratic society influenced heavily by patronage. They do not recognize aristocratic families, and there is much social mobility involved. There are four main social classes:
Peasants are the lowest and constitute most of the population
Artisans who encompass people of various specialized professions (smiths, sculptors, artists, gunmakers, merchants, tax collectors, etc.)
Martials, who are a military class encompassing Timariots and State military
And finally Intellectuals, a class for scientists, judges, philosophers, lawyers, mages, physicians, alchemists, and other high end fields.
Most of society is matriarchal. However the State itself is egalitarian. Men are weaker and softer than the women in Yuukoma, and most domestic duties are given to them. Women make up most of the labor forces and military personnel. Due to the sexual dimorphism with ten woman for every one man, men are allowed to have multiple wives.
Slavery is legal in Yuukoma. In Yuukoma, a slave is not considered property, but subject, one that is defined by being tied to a person, contrasting a serf who is tied to the land. As such, slaves have several rights, and often have a social status equivalent to the status of their master.
Yuukoma’s culture is centred around the concept of pleasure and vices. Rather than see it as an evil to society, Yuukoma instead believes life is about pursuing pleasures and desires. This has made Yuukoma seem like a nation of decadence. To look “desirable” is a cultural phenomenon.
History:
Yuukoma is descended from tribes who split of from Volstrun around a thousand years ago. They were a nomadic people who were accustomed to a life of war. This trait was what led them to the land known as Lodis, where the Loddisian Empire ruled.
The Empire of Lodis was in turmoil following a 20-year anarchy without an Emperor, and in the power struggles Prince Yuuko, founder of the Yuukoman tribe, offered himself as a mercenary to General Korpoli, one of the rebels against the Lodis throne. Over the course of the war, Korpoli was killed, plunging his region into chaos. It was Prince Yuuko who emerged as the dominant figure in here, and established the first state of Yuukoma.
Over the course of the next century, Yuukoma’s hold began to expand usually at the expense of Lodis. It was not only through military conquest, but also diplomacy and tolerance. Following typical Xani traditions, many of Yuukoma’s conquests were allowed to keep their own local cultures and traditions in exchange for recognizing Yuukoma as their overlord. This proved very effective in gaining supporters, as Lodis by comparison was less tolerant and their growing weakness meant many in their former Empire would rather side with the rising star that was Yuukoma. Many nobles of Lodis also defected to Yuukoma, feeling that their chances at wealth, land and glory would be better with the energetic Yuukoma than it was with the ailing Lodis.
Yuukoma then conquered the capital of Lodis: Arcanum. In a siege that took two months, Exalted Prince Maka entered the capital and proclaimed the beginning of the Yuukoman Empire, and he renamed Arcanum into Yucekent, which would be his eternal capital. Following that, Yuukoma continued to expand in all directions, until it was the largest Empire in the Southwestern continent, occupying much of what would be the Chev Leage and Tanwir Confederacy, along with the Al-Ham coastline by the desert.
Conflict with their fellow wolves, the Voldyuki, would mark Yuukoma’s territorial zenith. Following the reign of Amika, subsequent Yuukoman Princes would have less of a presence with the rise of the bureaucratic court. Yuukoma was focusing more on consolidating its empire in the following centuries, having a more defensive stance as it built up its domestic policies.
The status quo would continue until the reign of Emna. Jealous of the vast conquests of his predecessors, Emna would launch new invasions against the surrounding nations. Emna would conquer many territories for the first half of his reign, and he saw himself as Maka the Conqueror reborn. He, however, underestimated the scale of the coalition forming against Yuukoma as a result of his wars. When Emna launched an invasion on Tanwir to capture its capital city, Vodyuki riders broke through the center of his Empire and split the army in two. Then the entire coalition invaded Yuukoma from multiple fronts, starting the Great Yuukoman War. Over the course of the war, Prince Emna was captured. The loss of their Prince caused panic in the Yuukoman court, and this impeded their ability to form a coherent defensive strategy. After three years of war, Yuukoma lost much of its territory, reduced back to Lodis.
Yuukoma was in turmoil following this catastrophe. During this time, Yuukoma saw four Exalted Princes in quick succession, often little more than scapegoats and puppets for the State. It was not until Exalted Prince Izana when effective reform began to take place. Downsizing the military while also enacting a free trade policy while also lifting bans on certain commodities allowed Yuukoma to enjoy a budget surplus. Much of that money was used to quickly pay for reparations and to repair the country after the war, restoring the people’s faith in Yuukoma. Prince Izana also adopted a practice of demilitarization of the population, focusing instead on improving relations with other nations, even their former enemies. As a show of humility, Izana changed the official title of Yuukoma from that of Empire into Principality.
Since then, Yuukoma has transformed into a bureaucratic state focusing on domestic improvement and international trade and relations. The ministers and officials of the state became more important during Izana’s exhaustion causing him to retreat into his homes more often. Though small scale conflict by the borders and seas continue, Yuukoma no longer undertakes large scale military operations. They have been looking largely to improve their image to the world by making new allies, while also extending the capitulation treaties to further incentivize trade with the principality. Domestically, there have been greater efforts to “Yuukomanize” the citizens, so that the population of Yuukoma would be tied greater to the will of the State. The process is very slow, as the tribals and peasants of the country were never too bothered with the will of the State.
Izana eventually retired, and succeeding him is the young Eris.
Economy:
Following Izana’s reforms, Yuukoma has become very wealthy. The principality’s location ensures that it’s a common avenue of trade, acting as middlemen between western and eastern trade. To further incentivize trade, Yuukoma practices “Capitulation Treaties” which allow foreign nations to establish their own communities in the Yuukoman Empire, where the law of their nation takes place, in return the nation ensures trade relations with Yuukoma.
Wheat is the most common staple crop. Much of the farming is subsistence farming, with only specific areas tasked with surplus farming to feed the large cities of Yuukoma. Tribal elements of the country feed off the land, and have made certain parts of the land uncultivated as a result.
Yuukoma grows cash crops to trade in the market. This includes tea, incensce, silk, tobacco, spices, wine, cotton, and drugs. Yuukoma, due to the abundance of pastoral tribes, also are rich in wool, dairy, and furs. Notably, Yuukoma grows their own trademark spice called the “Venus Spice '' which add a savory flavor to their meals, but also works as an aphrodisiac. It’s most famous effect however is the feminization process, and is largely responsible as to why Yuukoma’s population is very effeminate.
Yuukoma is rich in lumber along its coastline with large forests dotting these places. Yuukoma is also a source of sulfur, saltpetre and charcoal. These three’s abundance in Yuukoma resulted in Yuukoma being one of the first to capitalize on gunpowder weapons, so much so that statues of cannons are a cultural phenomenon. Yuukoma is also a large source of magic rocks.
In terms of production, Yuukoma produces high quality textiles, carpets, clothes, instruments, tableware, glass and firearms. Being a culture based on aesthetic, Yuukoman artisans are some of the best in the world, selling their paintings, sculptures and novels to people worldwide.
Yuukoma largely imports precious metals like silver and gold. They also import iron and coal. They also buy food to further feed their megacities. They also import slaves to keep the State running.
Army:
Yeniceries
Yuukoma’s standing army is the Yeniceries. The Yeniceri army is 100,000 strong, a modest number for Yuukoma whose population exceeds twenty million people. What they lack in size they make up for in quality, as the Yeniceri are trained since childhood and personally cared for by the State itself. They are stationed in the five majors cities, and commanded by Princesses of Yuukoma. The Yeniceries are the elite soldiers of Yuukoma, and are divided into infantry and cavalry. They receive a regular salary, and upon the end of their service they are given pensions in the form of land and servants. The Exalted Prince is their overall commander, but in practice this is often delegated more to the General of the Yeniceries.
The Yeniceries are largely recruited from the Collection program, the annual conscription of youths ages 8 - 12 to be raised and trained as soldiers of the State. Most of the students who graduate become Yeniceri infantry, while the best among them become cavalry. Those who are gifted in non-martial fields can become apprentices of government ministers.
Yeniceri infantry primarily use muskets, but are also trained in more traditional weaponry. The royal bodyguards wield halberds. The cavalry fight as heavily armored cavalry with lance, mace and sword in addition to pistols and carbines. They royal bodyguard cavalry fight alongside the Exalted Prince himself.
Selected infantrymen would often be tasked with wielding more specialized weapons such as the great musket, grenades, hand held mortars, and others. They are given higher pay than usual as compensation for their more demanding tasks.
Humbaraci
Humbaraci, or cannoneers, form a major part of Yuukoma’s arsenal. One of the first countries to capitalize on gunpowder, Yuukoma ever since the reign of Prince Yunko had a military culture centred on gunpowder weapons. The current arsenal of Yuukoma have cannons of many calibres and used for field battles, sieges, coastal defenses, and naval warfare. Yucekent in Yuukomalia and Asuf in Tel Varia are two arsenals that produce cannons primarily, directed by the State itself and therefore unburdened by the problems found in artisan workshops. Yuukoma pioneered the development of gun forts and gunpowder arsenals.
Timariots
The Timariots refer to the people who are given the rights to collect revenue from land in exchange for protecting the land and gathering soldiers for war. Timariots are not professional soldiers like the Yeniceri, and are largely responsible for their own equipment. Most Timariots are cavalry, but there is a lot of variation, especially with the increasing importance of infantry. Timariots answer to their provincial governor.
Timariots are the backbone of Yuukoma’s campaigns, being the largest source of manpower for war. During peace Timariots protect the land allotted to them, while during war Timariots gather soldiers from those lands. The number of soldiers and their equipment depends on the revenue of the land the Timariot holds. Richer Timariots would have more soldiers with better equipment, while poorer Timariots would be the inverse.
Should a Timar fail in his duties, he or she could have their lands taken away by the State for one or two years. Continued failure could be the removal of that person from the Timar class, relegating them to Frontier troops or worse, peasants. A Timar who proves exceptional in their duties could be granted richer lands, and the most outstanding Timars can join the State itself, and be given actual ownership of the land.
Timariot demographics vary, but often are people who already have a martial history even before Yuukoma. They range from old aristocratic families who simply continue their obligation to the State as timars, tribal groups who prove exceptionally effective, and warriors promoted from the Frontier troops.
Frontier Troops
As their name implies, these soldiers operate on Yuukoma’s frontiers. Many of them are warriors of the lower social class, who for whatever reason want to live a martial lifestyle. This can include peasants simply looking for opportunities or riches in war, or the unruly tribal folk who are better to position close to the enemy than anywhere near Yuukoma’s more civilized society. Sometimes they are locals of nearby towns and villages who seek protection inside Yuukoma’s border forts, or mercenaries when the situation at the frontier is more active.
Frontier Troops in peacetime guard Yuukoma’s frontier while launching periodic raids against their enemies. They are largely paid for in plunder, and cost almost nothing to employ. They are armed with whatever weapon they can gather for themselves. During campaigns, it is the duty of the Frontier Troops to guard the logistical train, scout ahead, perform skirmishing and harassing actions, mark roads for travel, and, when push comes to shove, act as cannon fodder.
Mercenaries
Like any State, Yuukoma also employs mercenaries. They are notable however for housing the Headquarters of the Order of the Bannerets, the monastic mercenary group. Yuukoma had relied on the Bannerets greatly during their uprising years, and although the Yeniceries have largely replaced the Bannerets as Yuukoma’s elite troops, they are still a prestigious group given many privileges in Yuukoma’s territories.
Navy:
The Yuukoman Navy is concerned largely with the protection of its coasts and merchant vessels, particularly in the turbulent Sea. Yuukoma has a large navy, but it’s quite outdated. They are efficient in coastal protection and transport, but are not built for attritional engagements with other navies. Many are built with speed in mind, to quickly catch pirates while also quickly escaping enemy ships.
Yuukoma pays many privateers to conduct piracy and raiding actions against other nations without advertising Yuukoma. Many of these piracy actions are to control the trade around their sea, while also a source of bringing back slaves to the principality.
Traits:
Divine Dynasty (balanced): The Yuukoman dynasty is deified in the eyes of the people. As their gods on earth, the Yuukoman members are a form of meta-beings capable of using magic while also being stronger than mere people, with a long lifespan. However, the overt focus on the royal family means that no one else in Yuukoma can use magic.
Healthy Population (positive): Part of the Divine Dynasty’s powers is the purification of water. This allows very clean water to flow in the large cities. Furthermore, Yuukoma focuses greatly on hospitals and the sewage system, keeping their cities pristine. This makes the Yuukoman population less susceptible to diseases.
Marauding Tribes (balanced): Tribes regularly settle in and out of Yuukoma. These tribes are often a warrior people who can serve Yuukoma as fierce and fearsome troops, but these very same traits combined with their unruly nature makes them a headache to handle.
Entertainment and Charities (balanced): Keeping the population content is a priority of the Yuukoman State. Performers come daily in many forms to perform for the public, and the hospices and soup kitchens are prioritized in stocks to feed the large populations of the cities. This makes the people content, and helps reduce dissent. However such undertakings are expensive, and pulls funds away from other aspects of Yuukoman society.
Soft and Artistic People (balanced): Following Izana’s rule, most Yuukomans are dedicated to aesthetics and pleasures. Many are pleasant to be with, and have a fine eye for arts and literature. However, this makes majority of the population averse to conflict, which hampers their ability to be mobilized for war.
Foreign Relations:
Astalian Republic - Capitulation Treaties
Dastrian Confederation - Capitulation Treaties
Chevroière League - Guarded
Luchmeyern - Capitulation Treaties, Trade League, Royal Relations
Volstran - Guarded but sharing cultural and history
Banerrets - Housing their HQ, Hired to police the borders
Rolls:
Land Area: 13
Land Fertility: 12 (+8)
Social Development: 15 (+3)
Technological Development: 12 (-8)
Land Power: 10
Naval Power: 9
Economy: 20
Magical Reserves: 20
Magical Sophistication: 5 (-7)
Other: Woof Woof
The Yuukoman Principality
Territorial Claims:
Yuukoma is primarily located in Southwest Yarhezev in a land known as Lodis. They historically had a larger Empire, encompassing much of modern day Tanwir and Chev, along with the northwest coast by the desert. Following the Great Yuukoman War, Yuukoma lost these territories and was forced to renounce their claims.
Species:
Yuukoma’s largest demographic are the Yuukomite wolves, constituting 50% of the population. 30% of the population are Lodis Demons. 10% are humans. The remaining 10% are others.
Population (total and by species):
30 Million Total
15,000,000 Wolf Folk
900,000 Lods Demons
3,000,000 Humans
3,000,000 Others
Government:
Yuukoma is an absolute monarchy. There are two main administrations: the Military administration and the Civil administration. In both cases, the Exalted Prince is the highest authority. The civil administration is based on the rule of the local provinces and their individual characteristics. The military administration is concerned largely with the core territories of Yuukoma.
As a governing body, the House of Yuukoma holds absolute authority, and the members of the dynasty are considered the most important people in all of the Empire. They are thought of as divine, and this is written in Yuukoman laws. The Imperial Harem is the secluded residence of the Exalted Prince’s concubines and their servants. It is a symbol of the Exalted Prince’s power, wealth and sexual prowess. It also served as a school to educate its members into various roles needed by the State, and serve as the counterpart to the Collected. The Collected refers to the various members of the State which have been part of the Collection program: the annual conscription of youths. The promising members are inducted into the State itself and educated similarly to the harem.
Though the Exalted Prince is absolute, duties are delegated to members of the State. The second highest authority in the Empire is the Grand Vizier, followed by the Mother of the Harem. The various ministers and advisors gather in the Divan where they discuss matters of State. There are two divans: The Small Divan and the Large Divan. The small divan is the one that regularly meets almost everyday, composed of only the chief members. This included the Grand Vizier, the Harem Mother, the various Ministers of the State and other personally selected members. They discuss the day-to-day function of the Empire. The large divan is composed of the major figures all across the Empire. Aside from the members of the State, provincial governors, vassal lords, guildmasters, frontier generals, and leaders of the clergy are called upon. The large divan is called only when matters of great significance are put into question. The most notable was Maka’s Large Divan upon his establishment of the Empire.
Culture and Society:
Yuukoman Society is a meritocratic society influenced heavily by patronage. They do not recognize aristocratic families, and there is much social mobility involved. There are four main social classes:
Peasants are the lowest and constitute most of the population
Artisans who encompass people of various specialized professions (smiths, sculptors, artists, gunmakers, merchants, tax collectors, etc.)
Martials, who are a military class encompassing Timariots and State military
And finally Intellectuals, a class for scientists, judges, philosophers, lawyers, mages, physicians, alchemists, and other high end fields.
Most of society is matriarchal. However the State itself is egalitarian. Men are weaker and softer than the women in Yuukoma, and most domestic duties are given to them. Women make up most of the labor forces and military personnel. Due to the sexual dimorphism with ten woman for every one man, men are allowed to have multiple wives.
Slavery is legal in Yuukoma. In Yuukoma, a slave is not considered property, but subject, one that is defined by being tied to a person, contrasting a serf who is tied to the land. As such, slaves have several rights, and often have a social status equivalent to the status of their master.
Yuukoma’s culture is centred around the concept of pleasure and vices. Rather than see it as an evil to society, Yuukoma instead believes life is about pursuing pleasures and desires. This has made Yuukoma seem like a nation of decadence. To look “desirable” is a cultural phenomenon.
History:
Yuukoma is descended from tribes who split of from Volstrun around a thousand years ago. They were a nomadic people who were accustomed to a life of war. This trait was what led them to the land known as Lodis, where the Loddisian Empire ruled.
The Empire of Lodis was in turmoil following a 20-year anarchy without an Emperor, and in the power struggles Prince Yuuko, founder of the Yuukoman tribe, offered himself as a mercenary to General Korpoli, one of the rebels against the Lodis throne. Over the course of the war, Korpoli was killed, plunging his region into chaos. It was Prince Yuuko who emerged as the dominant figure in here, and established the first state of Yuukoma.
Over the course of the next century, Yuukoma’s hold began to expand usually at the expense of Lodis. It was not only through military conquest, but also diplomacy and tolerance. Following typical Xani traditions, many of Yuukoma’s conquests were allowed to keep their own local cultures and traditions in exchange for recognizing Yuukoma as their overlord. This proved very effective in gaining supporters, as Lodis by comparison was less tolerant and their growing weakness meant many in their former Empire would rather side with the rising star that was Yuukoma. Many nobles of Lodis also defected to Yuukoma, feeling that their chances at wealth, land and glory would be better with the energetic Yuukoma than it was with the ailing Lodis.
Yuukoma then conquered the capital of Lodis: Arcanum. In a siege that took two months, Exalted Prince Maka entered the capital and proclaimed the beginning of the Yuukoman Empire, and he renamed Arcanum into Yucekent, which would be his eternal capital. Following that, Yuukoma continued to expand in all directions, until it was the largest Empire in the Southwestern continent, occupying much of what would be the Chev Leage and Tanwir Confederacy, along with the Al-Ham coastline by the desert.
Conflict with their fellow wolves, the Voldyuki, would mark Yuukoma’s territorial zenith. Following the reign of Amika, subsequent Yuukoman Princes would have less of a presence with the rise of the bureaucratic court. Yuukoma was focusing more on consolidating its empire in the following centuries, having a more defensive stance as it built up its domestic policies.
The status quo would continue until the reign of Emna. Jealous of the vast conquests of his predecessors, Emna would launch new invasions against the surrounding nations. Emna would conquer many territories for the first half of his reign, and he saw himself as Maka the Conqueror reborn. He, however, underestimated the scale of the coalition forming against Yuukoma as a result of his wars. When Emna launched an invasion on Tanwir to capture its capital city, Vodyuki riders broke through the center of his Empire and split the army in two. Then the entire coalition invaded Yuukoma from multiple fronts, starting the Great Yuukoman War. Over the course of the war, Prince Emna was captured. The loss of their Prince caused panic in the Yuukoman court, and this impeded their ability to form a coherent defensive strategy. After three years of war, Yuukoma lost much of its territory, reduced back to Lodis.
Yuukoma was in turmoil following this catastrophe. During this time, Yuukoma saw four Exalted Princes in quick succession, often little more than scapegoats and puppets for the State. It was not until Exalted Prince Izana when effective reform began to take place. Downsizing the military while also enacting a free trade policy while also lifting bans on certain commodities allowed Yuukoma to enjoy a budget surplus. Much of that money was used to quickly pay for reparations and to repair the country after the war, restoring the people’s faith in Yuukoma. Prince Izana also adopted a practice of demilitarization of the population, focusing instead on improving relations with other nations, even their former enemies. As a show of humility, Izana changed the official title of Yuukoma from that of Empire into Principality.
Since then, Yuukoma has transformed into a bureaucratic state focusing on domestic improvement and international trade and relations. The ministers and officials of the state became more important during Izana’s exhaustion causing him to retreat into his homes more often. Though small scale conflict by the borders and seas continue, Yuukoma no longer undertakes large scale military operations. They have been looking largely to improve their image to the world by making new allies, while also extending the capitulation treaties to further incentivize trade with the principality. Domestically, there have been greater efforts to “Yuukomanize” the citizens, so that the population of Yuukoma would be tied greater to the will of the State. The process is very slow, as the tribals and peasants of the country were never too bothered with the will of the State.
Izana eventually retired, and succeeding him is the young Eris.
Economy:
Following Izana’s reforms, Yuukoma has become very wealthy. The principality’s location ensures that it’s a common avenue of trade, acting as middlemen between western and eastern trade. To further incentivize trade, Yuukoma practices “Capitulation Treaties” which allow foreign nations to establish their own communities in the Yuukoman Empire, where the law of their nation takes place, in return the nation ensures trade relations with Yuukoma.
Wheat is the most common staple crop. Much of the farming is subsistence farming, with only specific areas tasked with surplus farming to feed the large cities of Yuukoma. Tribal elements of the country feed off the land, and have made certain parts of the land uncultivated as a result.
Yuukoma grows cash crops to trade in the market. This includes tea, incensce, silk, tobacco, spices, wine, cotton, and drugs. Yuukoma, due to the abundance of pastoral tribes, also are rich in wool, dairy, and furs. Notably, Yuukoma grows their own trademark spice called the “Venus Spice '' which add a savory flavor to their meals, but also works as an aphrodisiac. It’s most famous effect however is the feminization process, and is largely responsible as to why Yuukoma’s population is very effeminate.
Yuukoma is rich in lumber along its coastline with large forests dotting these places. Yuukoma is also a source of sulfur, saltpetre and charcoal. These three’s abundance in Yuukoma resulted in Yuukoma being one of the first to capitalize on gunpowder weapons, so much so that statues of cannons are a cultural phenomenon. Yuukoma is also a large source of magic rocks.
In terms of production, Yuukoma produces high quality textiles, carpets, clothes, instruments, tableware, glass and firearms. Being a culture based on aesthetic, Yuukoman artisans are some of the best in the world, selling their paintings, sculptures and novels to people worldwide.
Yuukoma largely imports precious metals like silver and gold. They also import iron and coal. They also buy food to further feed their megacities. They also import slaves to keep the State running.
Army:
Yeniceries
Yuukoma’s standing army is the Yeniceries. The Yeniceri army is 100,000 strong, a modest number for Yuukoma whose population exceeds twenty million people. What they lack in size they make up for in quality, as the Yeniceri are trained since childhood and personally cared for by the State itself. They are stationed in the five majors cities, and commanded by Princesses of Yuukoma. The Yeniceries are the elite soldiers of Yuukoma, and are divided into infantry and cavalry. They receive a regular salary, and upon the end of their service they are given pensions in the form of land and servants. The Exalted Prince is their overall commander, but in practice this is often delegated more to the General of the Yeniceries.
The Yeniceries are largely recruited from the Collection program, the annual conscription of youths ages 8 - 12 to be raised and trained as soldiers of the State. Most of the students who graduate become Yeniceri infantry, while the best among them become cavalry. Those who are gifted in non-martial fields can become apprentices of government ministers.
Yeniceri infantry primarily use muskets, but are also trained in more traditional weaponry. The royal bodyguards wield halberds. The cavalry fight as heavily armored cavalry with lance, mace and sword in addition to pistols and carbines. They royal bodyguard cavalry fight alongside the Exalted Prince himself.
Selected infantrymen would often be tasked with wielding more specialized weapons such as the great musket, grenades, hand held mortars, and others. They are given higher pay than usual as compensation for their more demanding tasks.
Humbaraci
Humbaraci, or cannoneers, form a major part of Yuukoma’s arsenal. One of the first countries to capitalize on gunpowder, Yuukoma ever since the reign of Prince Yunko had a military culture centred on gunpowder weapons. The current arsenal of Yuukoma have cannons of many calibres and used for field battles, sieges, coastal defenses, and naval warfare. Yucekent in Yuukomalia and Asuf in Tel Varia are two arsenals that produce cannons primarily, directed by the State itself and therefore unburdened by the problems found in artisan workshops. Yuukoma pioneered the development of gun forts and gunpowder arsenals.
Timariots
The Timariots refer to the people who are given the rights to collect revenue from land in exchange for protecting the land and gathering soldiers for war. Timariots are not professional soldiers like the Yeniceri, and are largely responsible for their own equipment. Most Timariots are cavalry, but there is a lot of variation, especially with the increasing importance of infantry. Timariots answer to their provincial governor.
Timariots are the backbone of Yuukoma’s campaigns, being the largest source of manpower for war. During peace Timariots protect the land allotted to them, while during war Timariots gather soldiers from those lands. The number of soldiers and their equipment depends on the revenue of the land the Timariot holds. Richer Timariots would have more soldiers with better equipment, while poorer Timariots would be the inverse.
Should a Timar fail in his duties, he or she could have their lands taken away by the State for one or two years. Continued failure could be the removal of that person from the Timar class, relegating them to Frontier troops or worse, peasants. A Timar who proves exceptional in their duties could be granted richer lands, and the most outstanding Timars can join the State itself, and be given actual ownership of the land.
Timariot demographics vary, but often are people who already have a martial history even before Yuukoma. They range from old aristocratic families who simply continue their obligation to the State as timars, tribal groups who prove exceptionally effective, and warriors promoted from the Frontier troops.
Frontier Troops
As their name implies, these soldiers operate on Yuukoma’s frontiers. Many of them are warriors of the lower social class, who for whatever reason want to live a martial lifestyle. This can include peasants simply looking for opportunities or riches in war, or the unruly tribal folk who are better to position close to the enemy than anywhere near Yuukoma’s more civilized society. Sometimes they are locals of nearby towns and villages who seek protection inside Yuukoma’s border forts, or mercenaries when the situation at the frontier is more active.
Frontier Troops in peacetime guard Yuukoma’s frontier while launching periodic raids against their enemies. They are largely paid for in plunder, and cost almost nothing to employ. They are armed with whatever weapon they can gather for themselves. During campaigns, it is the duty of the Frontier Troops to guard the logistical train, scout ahead, perform skirmishing and harassing actions, mark roads for travel, and, when push comes to shove, act as cannon fodder.
Mercenaries
Like any State, Yuukoma also employs mercenaries. They are notable however for housing the Headquarters of the Order of the Bannerets, the monastic mercenary group. Yuukoma had relied on the Bannerets greatly during their uprising years, and although the Yeniceries have largely replaced the Bannerets as Yuukoma’s elite troops, they are still a prestigious group given many privileges in Yuukoma’s territories.
Navy:
The Yuukoman Navy is concerned largely with the protection of its coasts and merchant vessels, particularly in the turbulent Sea. Yuukoma has a large navy, but it’s quite outdated. They are efficient in coastal protection and transport, but are not built for attritional engagements with other navies. Many are built with speed in mind, to quickly catch pirates while also quickly escaping enemy ships.
Yuukoma pays many privateers to conduct piracy and raiding actions against other nations without advertising Yuukoma. Many of these piracy actions are to control the trade around their sea, while also a source of bringing back slaves to the principality.
Traits:
Divine Dynasty (balanced): The Yuukoman dynasty is deified in the eyes of the people. As their gods on earth, the Yuukoman members are a form of meta-beings capable of using magic while also being stronger than mere people, with a long lifespan. However, the overt focus on the royal family means that no one else in Yuukoma can use magic.
Healthy Population (positive): Part of the Divine Dynasty’s powers is the purification of water. This allows very clean water to flow in the large cities. Furthermore, Yuukoma focuses greatly on hospitals and the sewage system, keeping their cities pristine. This makes the Yuukoman population less susceptible to diseases.
Marauding Tribes (balanced): Tribes regularly settle in and out of Yuukoma. These tribes are often a warrior people who can serve Yuukoma as fierce and fearsome troops, but these very same traits combined with their unruly nature makes them a headache to handle.
Entertainment and Charities (balanced): Keeping the population content is a priority of the Yuukoman State. Performers come daily in many forms to perform for the public, and the hospices and soup kitchens are prioritized in stocks to feed the large populations of the cities. This makes the people content, and helps reduce dissent. However such undertakings are expensive, and pulls funds away from other aspects of Yuukoman society.
Soft and Artistic People (balanced): Following Izana’s rule, most Yuukomans are dedicated to aesthetics and pleasures. Many are pleasant to be with, and have a fine eye for arts and literature. However, this makes majority of the population averse to conflict, which hampers their ability to be mobilized for war.
Foreign Relations:
Astalian Republic - Capitulation Treaties
Dastrian Confederation - Capitulation Treaties
Chevroière League - Guarded
Luchmeyern - Capitulation Treaties, Trade League, Royal Relations
Volstran - Guarded but sharing cultural and history
Banerrets - Housing their HQ, Hired to police the borders
Rolls:
Land Area: 13
Land Fertility: 12 (+8)
Social Development: 15 (+3)
Technological Development: 12 (-8)
Land Power: 10
Naval Power: 9
Economy: 20
Magical Reserves: 20
Magical Sophistication: 5 (-7)
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Other: Woof Woof